Dirigible headlight



May 25 1926.

v C. SUTTON DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 18, 1925 May 25 192s. 1,586,128

C. SUTTON DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT Filed July 18. 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented l ving! 25, 1926.

ATENT reins.

COLEMAN SUTTON, OF IEFFERSONVILLE, INDIANA.

DIRIGIBLE HEADLIGHT,

Application filed July 18, 1925. Serial No. 44,474.

This invention relates to the class of inventions known as dirigible headlights, and it is directed to an improved structure wherein the headlights are mounted for turning n'iovement upon vertical axes, together with means for providing an operative connection of the same with the steering gear so that the lights will be automatically angled in parallelism with the front wheels to cause the light rays to follow or be directed upon thepath of travel, at all times.

My principal object is to generally improve upon structures of this class by pro viding one of comparative simplicity and durability wherein the details are, themselves, novel, and arranged in a novel association assuring the production of a practical arrangement which is positive in opera tion, and otherwise eflicient in its accomplishments.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be more specifically pointed out in the following description and appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a conventional automobile equipped with a headlight structure constructed in accordancewith the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top'plan view showing the relative association of parts. 1

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational and sectional view showing more in particular the manner in which the headlights are mounted.

Figure 1 is a detail section taken approximately upon the plane of the line i4 of Figure 3. I

Figure 5 is an enlarged top plan view of a part of the mechanism showing the construction more plainly.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of the connection of the device with the steering rod showing how it clears the existing steering gear when swung to its extreme right hand position.

Each headlight is the same in construction and is mounted in the same way. For clearness, the headlight and manner of mounting will be described in the singular. In this connection attention is invited to Figure 3 wherein it will be seen that the reference character 1 designates a conventional usual stationary standard of the common.

headlight is received. In accordance with the present invention that standard isre moved and a relatively short standard 2 is substituted. This new standard is' screw threaded at 3 and passed through the usual opening in the brace 1 as shown. Retaining nuts 1 are then threaded in place to hold the standard firmly in position. end the standard is provided with a sectional socket 5 provided at its front with an enlarged round hole 6. Fitted into this socket is a ball joint 7 carrying a stem 8 threaded at its front. he stem is movable universally in the hole 6 and the threaded end is tapped into a socket formed in a bearing block 9. By preference,'a set-screw 10 is employed to afford a good connection between this stem and block. Moreover, a setscrew 30 is employed on the top of the socket to engage the hall portion on the inner end of the stem. The headlight, generallyfrepresented by the reference character 11, is provided with a shaft including a smooth portion 12, this portion being rotatably received in the bearing opening in the block.

The shaft is then reduced and screw threaded for reception of a clamping nut 13. That portion of the shaft depending below the nut is further reduced as at 14; and a removable crankarm 15 is connected therewith by a set screw 31 as more plainly seen in Figure 1. This arm extends at right angles and in a horizontal manner. The shaft is, of course, provided with a stop flange 16 which rests rotatably on the top of the bearing block. This is deemed to be anovel mounting for headlights. and in this 'connec-.

On its upper tion I call attention to the fact that the headthe customary steering rod turned by the hand wheel (not shown). The reference character 18 designates the operating crank arm, and 19 one of the horizontal rods of the customary steering gear. Fastened to the end of the rod 17 is an angular bracket 20. This carries a depending arm 21, on the lower end of which is a ball connector 22, the same being connected in the fork 23 on one end of an operating link 2%.

Referring now to Figure 5 it will be seen that this link is provided on its opposite end "ith a somewhat similar fork 25, this being disposed in horizontal plane by twisting the link as shown. The last named fork is connected, throughthe medium of a ball and socket connection with atransverse operating bar 26, this bar being provided at its opposite ends with forks 27 connected with ball connectors on the lower down turned ends of a pair of substantially right angular rods 28. On the horizontal fcrward ends 'of the rods 28 are adjustably mounted forks 29 (see Figured) which are connected with the adjacent arms 15.

From the foregoing description it is obvious that as the steering rod 17 is turnedinstalled and associated with the existing details of a Ford automobile without requiring extensive alteration. The parts are so proportioned that they do not interfere inany way withthe usual steering gear, and there is little or no liability of the parts binding by insufiicient clearance, regardless of the angularity of the wheels assumed in making acute angular turns. The headlights are supported independently ofthe operatingmeans from details which are believed to be novel, particularly so because of the fact that they can be connected with the customary fender braces by simply removing the usual headlight standards. The working parts are comparatively few, wear is reduced, and there is little possibility of failure of operation of any detail. These and other advantages have doubtless been made apparent by the foregoing description and drawing. Furthermore, the construction and arrangement would seem to be clear, therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

lVhile the preferred embodiment of the invention has been show-nand described it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimedmay be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is v 1 In a headlight structure-of the class described, a standard adapted to be supported from aconventional fender brace, a socket at the top of saidst'andard, a bearing block providedwith a bearing opening, a stem adjustably'connected with said block and having a ball connector on its-end received in saidsocket,a retaining screw carried by the socket and engageablewith theball for supporting the bearing block in various adjusted positions, and a headlight including a shaft rotatable in the bearing opening of said block.

2. In a dirigible headlight structure, supporting standards, bearing blocks, universal and adjustable connections between the blocks and upper ends of the standards, headlights supported upon said blocks, said headlights embodyingshafts rotatable in the bearing openings of the blocks, crank arms connected'to thelower portions of the shafts, a pair of angular rods, the approximately horizontal portions of which are connected with said crank arms, a connection between thevertical portions-of'said rods, an operating link disposed at an angleto said connection and having universal connection with the intermediate portion of the connection, an angular attaching bracket for asteering rod, and a universal operating connection between the bracket and the adjacent end of said link. 7

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

COLEMAN SUTTON. 

